Lexus dealership bought by growing motor group

Harrogate-headquartered Vantage Motor Group has acquired the Toyota and Lexus businesses of Charles Clark Motors in Wolverhampton.

The group already has Toyota centres in Tamworth, Solihull and Birmingham where it also has a Lexus dealership.

Vantage operates 12 Toyota businesses in total, making it one of the largest Toyota groups in the country, as well as two Lexus dealerships.

Following a strategic review, when it decided to consolidate its non-Toyota operations and grow its core relationship with the marque, Vantage recently disposed of its Hyundai operations in Stockport and Oldham.

Mark Robinson, managing director of Vantage Motor Group, said: “This acquisition sits perfectly with the outcome of our recent strategy review and reinforces our Toyota and Lexus presence in the West Midlands. As a business we are committed to providing motorists with quality and value in their vehicle choice coupled with outstanding customer service.

“There has been much negative comment about the impact of Brexit on the motor industry but this is a sign of our confidence in a future where there will undoubtedly be change, driven by technological advances and Government policy, but where Toyota is already leading the market in alternative fuel vehicles and new mobility choices.”

The deal will see the 64 staff transfer from Charles Clark Motors to Vantage taking its workforce to almost 700 across 24 dealerships in Yorkshire, the Midlands and the North West.
The value of the deal is not disclosed.

Vantage was advised by Thomas Mieszkowski, Laura Cavell and Judith Pike of lawyers Walker Morris.

Charles Clark Motors were advised by UHY Hacker Young’s head of automotive, David Kendrick.

He said: “With Vantage already operating the Toyota and Lexus brands in the surrounding territories it makes sense for them to acquire this business.”